Mary welcomed the Word of God with faith; a faith that for her was the promise and the path to divine motherhood, because, as St. Augustine taught, "the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived believing and gave birth believing". Welcoming Jesus in her heart and in her body; assuming her role as a mother; being faithful to the Word and following her Son to the Cross, Mary teaches us how to be servants of the Father's will and disciples of Jesus. Mary, besides being a mother, is the first and most perfect disciple of Christ: this has universal and permanent value. With Mary, let us adore the Lord.
Initial Invocation
Rejoice,
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
Mary, full of grace.
The Lord is with you.
Hymn.
Mary, Mother of the "Yes" to Jesus, to God
When the announcement resounded
in the secret of your bedchamber
and the grace of the Spirit
overshadowed you,
Mary, you said "Yes" in your heart.
When heaven poured down its luminous dew
so that Jesus would germinate in you
by whom you would become Mother
Mary, you said "Yes" in your heart.
When going through the hills
you came to Zechariah's house
and John leaped for joy
in his mother's womb,
Mary, you said "Yes" in your heart.
When you gave birth to Love
in a stable on a bed of straw
and the king's soldiers
were looking for him to kill him.
Mary, you said "Yes" in your heart.
When the lips of an old man
announced His future to you
and in the depths of his gaze
you felt the sword that would pierce your heart.
Mary, you said "Yes" in your heart.
When you searched for the lost Child
for three anguished days
and at last you found him with the doctors
listening to them and asking them questions,
Mary, you said "Yes" in your heart.
When you interceded discreetly
for the wedding wine at Cana
and Jesus, turning to you,
said: “Woman, what does this have to do with me?”
Mary, you said "Yes" in your heart.
When your Son from the Cross
gave you to be the mother
of all who would come to believe
in the promises of the Father.
Mary, you said "Yes" in your heart.
When the women, frightened,
brought you the joyful news
that Jesus, risen from the dead
had appeared to them.
Mary, you said "YES" in your heart.
Silence for meditation.
Word of God: Mt 12:46-50.
While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds his mother and brothers wanted to speak to him and they waited outside. So someone said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside and want to speak with you." Jesus answered, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" And pointing to His disciples, He said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever carries out the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Silence for reflection.
Intercession:
Mary, mother, and disciple of Jesus, listen to our prayer:
Holy Mary, pray for us.
- Mary, you who welcomed in faith the coming of Jesus, Son of God and your Son, help us to recognize his presence and to welcome his saving power in our families, in our work and in all our relationships:
Holy Mary, pray for us.
- Mary, you who have always been faithful to the Word of the Lord, meditating on it in your heart and making it come alive, grant us, in trial or in joy, to remain attentive to Jesus in prayer, in our commitments for a better world and in the events of life:
Holy Mary, pray for us.
- Mary, you who stood at the foot of the cross beside your crucified Son, we pray to you for all who suffer. Grant them your consolation and peace.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
- Mary, after 2,000 years, you still appear to us to encourage us to accept the message of Jesus. Intercede with Jesus so that he may free us from all evil and open us to the Good News of Salvation:
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Our Father
Prayer:
Father, through Mary's intercession, we ask that in these times in which so many people are disoriented, you open our hearts to the Word of your Son. He who lives and reigns with you and the Spirit forever and ever.
Amen.
Final Blessing
May God, our Father, bless us, may he, with Jesus and Mary, keep us in his love and lead us to eternal life.
Amen.